AIBU to think being called 'a sprightly xxage' is patronising and ageist.

[Minimammoth]

Using the word 'sprightly' has an undertone meaning at your age you should be wrinkly, crocked, walking with a zimmer. We don't refer to thirty year olds as sprightly. May be being over sensitive, but feel mildly offended. Sniff.

YABU... get used to it along with doctors saying 'it's your age' and shop assistants suddenly calling you 'dear' for no apparent reason. :)

Oh dear God something else we should take offence to now?

YABU, if someone is described as sprightly it means they have a lot of energy/spirit.

If you think it has an undertone meaning "at your age you should be wrinkly, crocked, walking with a zimmer", I think you have a strange way of thinking.

It's a compliment.

Are you one of those people who can have an argument in an empty room?

I agree with you OP. It always comes across as patronising to me. Like those threads on here where people defend some appalling behaviour on the grounds that the offenders is 'too old to change how she was brought up' and it turns out they are actually 45 or something.

Yes to all of the above. I am shriven oh wise ones. I might also add it was said to me over the phone and in no way an observation of my way of being. < I am crocked and wrinkly but it should not be mentioned>

Cogito, yes they also pass you that special offer token for the over 50s in Boots without batting an eyelid.

Or the flashing sign on the checkout as you buy your bottle of stout says 'is the customer over 18' and they don't give you more than a cursory glance. However, the day I shall know I am old is when I land on my arse and my family start telling people I've not fallen over but 'had a fall'.....

YANBU - it is patronising.

I'm opening a book - taking bets now. What odds for a time in the not too distant future where all adjectives become illegal and anyone using one will be referred instantly to the Descriptions Police.
And when this does happen what on earth are all you permanently offended people going to do then? Huh?

Oh Cogito I feel that day is not to far off for me. I am always bloody falling over but it has never occurred to me that the family might start saying that.

Aaaaarrgh.

Consider this,
Salesman: age? 63, occupation?
Mini: lap dancer
Salesman: a sprightly 63

Salesman: age? 23, occupation?
Mini: gun runner
Salesman: a sprightly 23

Salesman: age? 59, occupation?
Mini: prime minister
Salesman : a sprightly 59
It's just never right.
Can anyone think of an appropriate witty response?
And your age sir? Ah a lumpen 39 maybe.
Ok I am going on.